Report 2018-113 Recommendation 12 Responses
Report 2018-113: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation: Several Poor Administrative Practices Have Hindered Reductions in Recidivism and Denied Inmates Access to In‑Prison Rehabilitation Programs (Release Date: January 2019)
Recommendation #12 To: Corrections and Rehabilitation, Department of
To ensure that Corrections effectively and efficiently allocates resources and reduces recidivism, it should partner with an external researcher during fiscal year 2020-21 to help it quantify the effect volunteer programs have on inmate outcomes and consider expanding those programs if they prove effective or ceasing them if they are not effective.
Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From October 2021
As previously noted, the PPIC Data Sharing Agreement was finalized in August 2021. The evaluation will be able to address certain volunteer programs as noted in the 2020 Update. In June 2021, the contract with UCI was finalized and is now active. The UCI contract is focused on developing an intermediate outcome-related assessment tool for DRP's Innovative Grants Program.
Supporting documents will be provided as directed.
- Completion Date: July 2021
California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Fully Implemented
CDCR has partnered with the Regents of the University of California, Irvine to help it quantify the effect volunteer programs have on inmate outcomes.
Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From October 2020
Work with California State University, University of California, or external research entities on requests for proposals to measure volunteer based programs with an emphasis on those utilizing state funding sources (Innovative Grants, Arts in Corrections). Tentatively slated to be included in partnership listed in Item 11. Subject to change depending upon outcome of proposal scope/evaluation.
By April 2020: Finalize agreement with Research Entity
2020-21 and longitudinally ongoing.
The PPIC evaluation noted in Item 11 will address certain relationships between volunteer programs and recidivism outcomes. DRP is currently working with UC Irvine to develop a contract for completion of a tool to measure intermediate outcomes associated with programming. This tool will identify outcomes such as in prison behavior. DRP anticipates a January 2021 start date, pending ability to visit institutions given COVID restrictions.
- Estimated Completion Date: 2020-21
California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Partially Implemented
1-Year Agency Response
Work with California State University, University of California, or external research entities on requests for proposals to measure volunteer based programs with an emphasis on those utilizing state funding sources (Innovative Grants, Arts in Corrections). Tentatively slated to be included in partnership listed in Item 11. Subject to change depending upon outcome of proposal scope/evaluation.
By April 2020: Finalize agreement with research entity
- Estimated Completion Date: April 2020
- Response Date: March 2020
California State Auditor's Assessment of 1-Year Status: Partially Implemented
6-Month Agency Response
Work with California State University, University of California, or external research entities on requests for proposals to measure volunteer based programs with an emphasis on those utilizing state funding sources (Innovative Grants, Arts in Corrections).
By January 2020: Fully develop Scope of Work
Discussions are continuing around the development of a longitudinal research study with the Public Policy Institute of California, to include voluntary, inmate activity group programming, in concurrence with academic, treatment, and career technical programming. Discussions will continue. Please see comment above for additional detail.
- Estimated Completion Date: 2020-21 and longitudinally ongoing
- Response Date: July 2019
California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Pending
60-Day Agency Response
Work with California State University, University of California, or external research entities on requests for proposals to measure volunteer based programs with an emphasis on those utilizing state funding sources (Innovative Grants, Arts in Corrections).
By January 2020: Develop Scope of Work
By April 2020: Formally Contract with Research Entity
Proof of Practice: Delivery of scope of work and longitudinal contract deliverables.
- Estimated Completion Date: 2020-21 and longitudinally ongoing.
- Response Date: March 2019
California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Pending
All Recommendations in 2018-113
Agency responses received are posted verbatim.